In my 20-some years of life, I have been an aunt for about 10. I think my brothers and sisters are some of the best people in the world because they gave me nieces and nephews to love on and learn from. My time spent with each of my little humans is so precious. Though, there have been times when I've experienced new things (like poop all over me) that have taught me what I definitely didn’t know before. If you’re an aunt or an uncle, you can probably relate.
1. When they are babies and just starting to develop their own voice—out of nowhere—you also begin to develop a new voice when talking to them, but it’s an annoyingly high-pitched voice 90 percent of the time. It comes naturally, I’m sure. Nobody’s judging you. I think.
2. If you have brothers and sisters, you probably spend most of your time with the baby passing him or her around so everyone gets a chance to hold the little one. Sorry, moms and dads, you’re probably secretly wishing you could have your baby back and safe in your arms at this point.
3. As babies, they will become so curious with each passing day about the big world around them, often reaching up to the sky or to your face to familiarize themselves with it. They teach you to regain that same curiosity because you must always be striving to learn new things, too.
4. When you hold the baby, especially as a newborn, you’ll most likely feel like you’re the worst baby-holder ever because of how awkwardly the baby is laying in your arms or flopping around against your chest. Eventually, you learn how the baby likes to be held best, and then you feel like you’ve accomplished something pretty big.
5. Feeding the baby is always the best time because you can relax.
6. Burping the baby is always the worst time because you can’t relax until you hear that burp. You don’t want to get thrown up on.
7. You will get thrown up on a lot at the most unexpected times. Tip: always keep the little one’s blanky on your shoulder.
8. If you are babysitting for the day, you learn, just as moms and dads do, that when the baby naps, so do you.
9. Carrying babies is fun until you get pooped on. My record is five times, by three different babies. You learn after the first time not to freak out, and you develop your own poopy-clothes ritual. Some people just throw their clothes away. Tip: Soak and wash immediately. It comes out!
10. When the baby is finally old enough to begin reaching out for you in recognition of your face and voice, you are the happiest aunt in the world. All that unconditional baby loving pays off. Same goes for when they can finally say your name. Oh, my heart.
11. When they have grown into a big kid and begin going to school, you receive a text message with a photo attached from your brother or sister, and you feel like crying because you can’t believe they’re already old enough to begin their education.
12. As they continue to grow, you become protective of them and think about things like: What if they get a girlfriend/boyfriend and experience a first broken heart? What if they encounter their first bully? Tip: Breathe. Always be there for them and they will be okay.
Being an auntie to my little humans has taught me so much about loving big and being soft in heart. I think being an aunt is perhaps one of the best gifts in life. Thanks to my brothers and sisters for giving me the best job ever.
Love,
A Blessed Auntie
